Orthodontic elastic inserter tool

ABSTRACT

The present invention of an orthodontic elastic inserter tool includes a generally cylindrical housing which contains a retractable shaft having a hook at the extensible end. An elastic band may be disposed on the extended end, and as the hook is retracted into the housing the elastic band is forced to take a loop shape. The elastic band may then be disposed on hooks on orthodontic braces without interference from the hook after which the hook may be extended and removed from the elastic band.

United States Patent [191 Canter et al.

[4 1 Jan. 21, 1975 ORTHODONTIC ELASTIC INSERTER TOOL [76] Inventors: Marvin R. Canter, 22595 Waterbury, Woodland Hills, Calif. 91364; Stantion R. Canter, 19274 Berclair Ln., Tarzana, Calif. 91356; Robert A. Shuken, 1800 Roscomare Rd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90024 [22] Filed: Sept. 24, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 399,863

[52] US. Cl. 32/66 [51] Int. Cl. A22c 25/00 [58] Field of Search 32/14, 66

[56] References Cited OTHER PUBLICATIONS American Journal of Orthodontics, Vol. 49, No. 11,

Nov. 63, pg. 32.

Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Spensley, Horn & Lubitz [57] ABSTRACT The present invention of an orthodontic elastic inserter tool includes a generally cylindrical housing which contains a retractable shaft having a hook at the extensible end. An elastic band may be disposed on the extended end, and as the hook is retracted into the housing the elastic band is forced to take a loop shape. The elastic band may then be disposed on hooks on orthodontic braces without interference from the hook after which the hook may be extended and removed from the elastic band.

13 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures ORTHODONTIC ELASTIC INSERTER TOOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an orthodontic elastic inserter tool.

2. Prior Art Orthodontic patients are often required to employ small elastic bands to help correct deficiencies in the alignment of teeth. These deficiencies require the placement of small elastic bands on braces for forcing the teeth in a desired direction which corrects misalignment when employed over a period of time.

The elastics are not in continuous use but in general, are replaced periodically and may be removed for eating or other reasons. Replacement is often difficult because the elastic bands are very small and hence difficult to manually insert.

Tools have been developed for placement of such bands on the braces, however, most of these tools are more appropriately used by the dentist and not the patient. An example of such a tool is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,309,773. This tool is a simple straight hand tool with a hook at one end. An unskilled person or child using such an instrument may damage his teeth, cheek, gums or orthodontic bands or braces (wires) when attempting to deploy the elastics.

The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing a tool for inserting elastic bands on orthodontic bands without damaging gums, cheek, teeth or orthodontic braces themselves. The invented tool is especially suitable for use by children who have difficulty in using prior art instruments. In addition the present invention provides an inexpensive compact tool which is not easily damaged, and is easily transported.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,475,818 describes an orthodontic elastic band inserter. This patent discloses a straight hand tool with stationary lugs which force the elastic band to take a rectangular shape. These lugs even if formed from polyethylene may injure gums or teeth when used by an unskilled person or child.

The following additional U.S. Patents were uncovered in a search conducted on this disclosure:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An orthodontic elastic inserter tool comprising a housing with a retractable hook is disclosed. The housing is generally cylindrical in shape having a tapered end from which a hook may be extended or retracted. The tapered end of the elongated hollow housing defines an annulus against which an elastic may rest when the hook is retracted. The hook is formed as a part of an axial shaft which extends from the tapered end of the housing to a retracting mechanism. The retracting mechanism is comprised of a thumb push button, which activates the mechanism, and a positionable cap which receives the end of the axial shaft. A spring disposed near the tapered end of the housing urges the axially disposed shaft in place until the retracting mechanism is again activated. The spring is held in place by a retaining stop formed on the axial shaft, and the tapered end of the housing. The upper portion of the housing defines a compartment for storing elastic bands. The axially disposed shaft which extends through the compartment forms a spindle for the stored elastic bands.

In operation the hook is extended and an elastic band is placed on the hook. The push button may then be activated which retracts the axial shaft pulling the hook and a portion of the elastic band into the housing. The protruding portion of the elastic band is forced to take a loop shape and is readily disposed on an orthodontic hook disposed on the orthodontic band. Next the clastic is stretched and placed around the opposing orthodontic hook. The push button may then again be activated which extends the hook and enables the patient to unhook the elastic band from the tool.

The present invention is a tool which can be used by unskilled patients and children to insert orthodontic elastic bands on orthodontic bands, without damaging teeth, cheeks, gums, or orthodontic bands. Also a storage compartment is contained in the tool for spare elastics and the tool is easily carried on the person and can be employed whenever necessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a pictorial view, showing a partially cut away view of the presently preferred embodiment of the elastic inserter tool;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the inserter tool, with the hook extended and an elastic in place;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the inserter tool, with the hook retracted, with the elastic attached;

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of the inserter tool being employed to attach an elastic band on orthodontic hooks disposed on orthodontic bands which are in place on teeth in the lower jaw;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of teeth with an orthodontic band and various elastic bands disposed at various positions;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view, of the inserter tool, with a plugger acting as a pocket clip;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of the inserter tool, showing the plugger disposed in a second position, and the housing containing elastics and orthodontic wax; and,

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of the invention with the plugger being used to position a loose tie wire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Now referring to FIG. 1 a cut-away pictorial view of the presently preferred embodiment is shown. The orthodontic elastic inserter tool is comprised of: a housing which consists of a top portion 21, and a lower portion 22, a shaft with a retaining stop 27, a ledge 26 and a hook 28 disposed thereon, a spring 31, a storage compartment 34, and a retractable mechanism 42 which is comprised of a button 23 and a cap 24.

The housing 20 is generally a hollow cylindrical member having end 21 defining an aperture 38. The other end 29 is tapered and forms an aperture encircled by annulus 30. The edges of the annulus 30 are smooth and shaped such that the hook 28 may be retracted into the housing 20. The upper portion 21 of the housing forms a compartment 34 which is generally cylindrical in shape. The lower portion 22 of the housing 20 is also cylindrical in shape having tapered end 29 and houses a spring 31. End 29 is tapered such that annulus 30 is smaller than the general housing 20 yet allows the hook 28, to be retracted into the housing. The top and bottom portions of the housing may be joined together by threads or other means well known in the art, at joint 26. The housing in the presently preferred embodiment is formed from a plastic such as polyethylene.

An axial shaft 25 is disposed within the housing along the axis of the housing such that one end 32 is disposed adjacent to the aperture 38 while the other end 33 is disposed adjacent the annulus 30. The axial shaft may be formed from any rigid material, and in the presently preferred embodiment, is formed from metal. The axial shaft 25 is a solid cylindrical member having a length such that when hook 28, is extended by the retracting mechanism, the hook will be disposed outside of the housing 20 through the annulus.

As the hook 28 is retracted the hook is positioned within the housing 20 near the annulus 30. The axial shaft 25 has formed thereon a ledge 26 which forms the bottom portion of the storage compartment 34. This ledge 26 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the housing 20. Also formed on the axial shaft 25 is a retaining stop 27. This retaining stop 27 is disposed on the shaft in the lower portion of the housing 20. The stop is a protrusion which is slightly larger than the diameter of the spring 31 and forces the spring 31 to be contained within a region between the stop 27 and the annulus 30.

On end 29 of the axial shaft 25 is formed a hook 28. The hook is formed as best shown in FIG. 1 and is approximately 360 bend in the shaft 25. This hook is capable of receiving and retaining an elastic band 41. The hook in the presently preferred embodiment is formed as an integral part of the shaft as shown in FIG. 2, however, the hook may be disposed on the shaft by threads 73 or other coupling methods well known in the art, as shown in FIG. 3.

The retracting mechanism 42 which is disposed near end 32 of the upper portion 21 is comprised of a push button 23 and a cap 24 which allows end 38, of the shaft 25 to be engaged within the cap 24. The push but ton 23 extends through the aperture 38 of the upper portion and engages cap 24. The mechanism when activated disposed the axial shaft to an extended position and if reactivated draws the axial shaft into the housing. This mechanism may be formed similar to that well known in the art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,285,228. It should be noted that the presently preferred embodiment utilizes a retracting mechanism similar to U.S.

Pat. No. 3,285,228, however, the invention may employ other retracting means such as one which operates by twisting.

The storage compartment 34 is located in the upper portion 21 of the housing 20. The axial shaft 25 is disposed through the axial center of the compartment 34, thereby forming a spindle. When the upper portion 21 of the housing is removed from the tool, the spindle allows a supply of elastics to be disposed thereon. The elastics 40 are disposed around the spindle and rest on the ledge 26. The compartment 34 is accessible by removing the top portion from the tool at joint 26. Although the axial shaft serves as the spindle in the presently preferred embodiment, the spindle may be formed by an inner housing which is formed as an integral portion of the lower portion of the housing.

The spring 31 is disposed in the lower portion 22 of the housing 20. The spring is disposed around the axial shaft 25 and is located between the retaining stop 27 and the tapered end 29 of the housing. When shaft 25 is in its retracted position, the spring 31 is in a relaxed state. As the shaft 25 is extended, the spring is compressed. This compression urges the retracting mechanism into position until the push button is reactivated and hook 28 is withdrawn.

Having now described the physical characteristics of the orthodontic elastic inserter tool 25, the method for using that tool will now be described. In the orthodontic practice, it is the custom that small hooks are disposed on the braces and bands placed on the teeth. These hooks are capable of receiving small elastic bands which the patient is required to place. Often, the elastic bands break or are removed for eating or other reasons. Thus, it becomes necessary for the patient to place new elastics in position fairly frequently. Because the hooks on the orthodontic braces are normally very small, it is difficult for a child or an adult to use his fingers to connect the small elastic bands between the hooks. Thus, in the prior art, a metal tool was used to dispose the bands in place. However, this metal tool if used by an adult or especially a child often caused damage to the gums of the patient because of the difficulty of finding the small hooks near the gums of the teeth.

In order for a patient to use the tool to place an elastic band 41 between two of the orthodontic hooks, the hook 28 must first be disposed in its extended position as is best shown in FIG. 2. This is accomplished by pushing the thumb push button 23 until the axial shaft is in its extended position. The elastic band 41 is then disposed on the hook 28 as is shown in FIG. 2. The hook 28 is then retracted into housing 20 by activation of the button 23. This retraction holds a portion of the elastic band 41 into the housing 20 and against the an nulus 30 and forces the elastic band 41 to take an elliptical shape as is best shown in FIG. 3. This elliptical shape enables the user to easily dispose the elastic band 41 on an orthodontal hook located on the orthodontic bands. The retraction of the hook 28 also serves as a safety feature since the hook is placed in a position where it cannot damage the gums, teeth, cheeks or orthodontic bands.

Now referring to FIG. 4, elastic inserting is shown. Initially orthodontic bands 52 are placed on the patients teeth 51 above the gums 50. Orthodontal hooks 60 and 61 are disposed on the orthodontic bands 52. The inserting tool 15 with an elastic band 41 attached to the hook and with the hook retracted is then inserted into the mouth of the patient. The open end of the band 41 is looped around the orthodontic hook 60. Next the elastic band 41 is stretched until it engages the second orthodontal hook 61. With the elastic band 41 now in place, the retracting mechanism of the inserting tool 15 is activated such that the hook 28 is extended from the housing 20. In this extended position, the book 28 can be easily removed from the elastic band 41 and the tool 20 may be removed from the patients mouth. It should also be noted that the elastic inserting tool may be used to remove the elastic bands from the orthodontal hooks following the reverse procedure just described.

Orthodontic procedures often require elastic bands to be disposed within the patients mouth at various positions. Often these hooks are placed in very hard to reach places within the mouth. Thus, if a sharp or hard object is used as the inserting tool, damage to the gums, cheeks or teeth may result from searching for the small orthodontic hooks on which the elastic bands are to be placed. The retracting feature of the present invention allows a patient to place the elastic bands at hard to reach locations in the mouth. Several different arrangements for these elastic bands are shown in FlG. 5. For example, a band may have to be connected from a lower rear molar having a hook 68 to an upper side molar having a hook 66, or an upper rear molar having a hook 67 or 71 may be connected to a lower side molar having a hook 65 or 71 or a front upper tooth having a hook 63 may have to be connected to a lower bottom tooth having a hook 64. Thus, by employing the present invention an elastic band 36 may be connected between hook 68 and hook 66, band 35 may be connected between hook 67 and hook 65, band 36 may be connected between hook 71 and hook 72, and band 37 may be connected between hook 63 and hook 64.

Patients are required to keep a supply of elastic bands for use. However, often these small elastic bands become lost or misplaced. The present invention utilizes a storage compartment 34 housed in the inserting tool to contain these spare elastic bands 40. Thus, by separating the upper and lower portion of the housing, a reserve coil 40 of elastic bands may be disposed around the spindle. Thus, whenever the patient requires a new elastic band it is available in the body of the tool. This storage compartment maintains the elastics in a clean environment. This tool is small and compact and can be easily carried in a hand purse or as a pen in a pocket.

The tool also may be made in a collapsible form which makes it smaller and simpler to transport.

The safety features of the retractable hook and smooth annulus are especially important since orthodontal procedures are often employed on children who may have problems in inserting the elastic bands without the present invention. The prior art metal hooks resulted in many children injuring their gums, cheeks, teeth or orthodontal bands. However, in the present invention the hook is retractable and no sharp edges are placed within the patients mounth which can catch on the braces or damage the gums.

Another feature of the present invention is that it is hygenic. The elastics are most often placed with fingers, which results in many germs entering the mouth. The present invention enables elastics to be placed without fingers being disposed in the patients mouth and consequently is much more hygenic.

In an alternate embodiment the housing also contains orthodontic wax 90, as shown in FIG. 7. This wax 90 is used by patients when wires on the braces or bands break and cut into the patients gums, cheek or tongue. The wax is rubbed on the broken wires and covers them, serving to protect the inside of the mouth. The upper portion of the housing in this alternate embodiment may be slightly larger than the body of the presently preferred embodiment, in order that wax 90 may be disposed in housing 20, along with the elastic bands 40.

In an alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the pocket clip is designed to be used as a plugger for tucking in broken or exposed tie wires. The pocket clip 80 is formed from a body 83, a plugger 84, a band 81 and a cap 82. The band 81 is fastened to the housing 20 of the tool, by methods well known in the art. The band 81 has a small protrusion cap 82 which is engageable with the body 83. The body 83 is generally a straight piece of metal having a slight bend at its extreme end, to which a plugger 84 is attached. After the body 82 is disposed on the protusion cap 82, the cap 82 is flattened to prevent the body 83 from disengaging the cap 82. The cap 82, however, allows the body 83 to rotate through a 360 arc. The plugger 84 is similar to those employed by those skilled in the Art, but is basically a small cap which can be used to trap tie wires and bend them into desired positions.

The pocket clip is employed as is shown in FIG. 8, when a tie wire becomes broken, loose or mistigured and begins irritating the patients gums, cheek, or tongue. In use the pocket clip is rotated from its normal position (FIG. 6) to a position of that shown in FIG. 7. The plugger 84 is then disposed over the loose end of the tie wire 91 and pushed away until there is no irritation caused by the wire 91. The invention can then be removed from the patients mouth and the pocket clip 80 can be rotated into its original position and serve as a pocket clip for holding the tool in place in a patients pocket.

We claim:

1. An orthodontic inserter tool comprising:

a. a housing defining an aperture at one end;

b. a shaft disposed within said housing;

0. a hook disposed at the end of said shaft for securing an elastic thereto; and,

d. an extending and retracting means for moving said shaft from an extended position to a retracted position such that said hook is disposed within said housing and from said retracted position to said extended position;

wherein said elastic may be disposed on said hook when in an extended position, after which said hook may be moved to said retracted position such that said elastic is generally shaped in a loop and may be disposed on orthodontic braces, after which said hook may be extended and said elastic removed.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing is generally an elongated hollow cylinder having one tapered end defining an annulus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing has an upper and lower portion, said upper portion defining a storage compartment for elastic bands and orthodontic wax.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said axial shaft is disposed through the center of said storage compartment.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a spring means is used for urging said extending and retracting means for extending and retracting said axially disposed shaft.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hook is an integral part of said axially disposed shaft.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 including a bending tool coupled to said housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hook is coupled to said axially disposed shaft and removable from said shaft.

9. An orthodontic elastic inserter tool comprising:

a. a housing which is generally cylindrical in shape having an upper and lower portion, said upper portion defining a storage compartment for storing elastic bands, said lower portion housing a spring means having tapered end defining an annulus;

b. a shaft axially disposed through said housing having a first and second retaining means;

c. a hook disposed at one end of said axially disposed shaft, said hook being capable of retaining an elastic band when attached thereto; and

d. an extending and retracting means, for moving said axially disposed shaft such that said hook may be extended from said annulus and retracted through said annulus into said housing, comprised of a button for activating said means and a spring for urging said axial shaft in position;

wherein said elastic may be disposed on said hook when in an extended position, after which said hook may be moved to its retracted position such that said elastic is generally shaped in a loop and may be disposed on orthodontic braces, after which said hook may be extended and said elastic removed.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said axially disposed shaft extends through said storage compartment and is used as a spindle to contain elastic bands.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first retaining means forms the bottom of said storage compartment and said second retaining means compresses said spring means against said tapered end of said housing when said axial shaft is disposed in its extended position.

12. The apparatus defined by claim 7 wherein said bending tool defines a clip means for clipping said housing to a pocket and the like.

13. The apparatus defined by claim 9 including a bending tool coupled to said housing. 

1. An orthodontic inserter tool comprising: a. a housing defining an aperture at one end; b. a shaft disposed within said housing; c. a hook disposed at the end of said shaft for securing an elastic thereto; and, d. an extending and retracting means for moving said shaft from an extended position to a retracted position such that said hook is disposed within said housing and from said retracted position to said extended position; wherein said elastic may be disposed on said hook when in an extended position, after which said hook may be moved to said retracted position such that said elastic is generally shaped in a loop and may be disposed on orthodontic braces, after which said hook may be extended and said elastic removed.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing is generaLly an elongated hollow cylinder having one tapered end defining an annulus.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing has an upper and lower portion, said upper portion defining a storage compartment for elastic bands and orthodontic wax.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said axial shaft is disposed through the center of said storage compartment.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a spring means is used for urging said extending and retracting means for extending and retracting said axially disposed shaft.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hook is an integral part of said axially disposed shaft.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 including a bending tool coupled to said housing.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hook is coupled to said axially disposed shaft and removable from said shaft.
 9. An orthodontic elastic inserter tool comprising: a. a housing which is generally cylindrical in shape having an upper and lower portion, said upper portion defining a storage compartment for storing elastic bands, said lower portion housing a spring means having tapered end defining an annulus; b. a shaft axially disposed through said housing having a first and second retaining means; c. a hook disposed at one end of said axially disposed shaft, said hook being capable of retaining an elastic band when attached thereto; and d. an extending and retracting means, for moving said axially disposed shaft such that said hook may be extended from said annulus and retracted through said annulus into said housing, comprised of a button for activating said means and a spring for urging said axial shaft in position; wherein said elastic may be disposed on said hook when in an extended position, after which said hook may be moved to its retracted position such that said elastic is generally shaped in a loop and may be disposed on orthodontic braces, after which said hook may be extended and said elastic removed.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said axially disposed shaft extends through said storage compartment and is used as a spindle to contain elastic bands.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first retaining means forms the bottom of said storage compartment and said second retaining means compresses said spring means against said tapered end of said housing when said axial shaft is disposed in its extended position.
 12. The apparatus defined by claim 7 wherein said bending tool defines a clip means for clipping said housing to a pocket and the like.
 13. The apparatus defined by claim 9 including a bending tool coupled to said housing. 